Viewpoints

Mobile Healthcare Improves Patient Care - But at What Cost?

Aug 02, 2018

I have access to KP.org - which allows me to conveniently manage appointments, email all of my doctors, check my test result and learn about how to be healthier - all with a touch of my fingerprint. While my healthcare data can be shared to save future lives, information about me will remain private, unless or until the system is hacked. As this article explains, there are a lot of time and life saving benefits.

But there's a lot more to mobile apps than these secure HMO ones. I just got an Apple Watch and it's definitely pushing me to move more often, be more active, and pay attention to what I'm eating. This is because it's easy to access, it notifies me on a regular basis, and it allows me to add Lose It data. It's definitely a more useful device than the 4 Fitbits I've owned prior to this wearable device. As much as this data helps me with my physical fitness today, and perhaps will help me with more life-threatening issues tomorrow, is it acceptable to me that this data can now be seen by anyone/used by everyone for commercial purposes? In an effort to keep me safer, will the new sensors on my car make my auto insurance pricier? When I buy my groceries with Apple Pay, will it hurt my ability to get health insurance one day because I don't buy all the "right" foods?

There is too much data out there and not all of it can be seen and evaluated - yet. This requires investments in analytics. So for now, I don't feel threatened. However, it is the right time to stop and think about our privacy. We actually had this conversation with our 11 and 14 year old kids. Are they willing to give up their privacy for convenience? They are on the side of privacy (because they haven't started high school yet:-)). Me? I love my Apple Watch - for now I'm willing to be an open book!

Alpa Shah

This May marks my 22th year with Frost & Sullivan. Being part of a fast-growing company and dynamic industry, an entrepreneurial culture, and a fun environment is invigorating and worth every moment.
My professional and volunteer experience includes business and strategy planning, product and vertical market analysis, growth consulting, event planning and execution, sales and marketing, web design, and most importantly, creating and inspiring teams to be best in class. Consulting projects have ranged from strategy development to white papers to end user analyses.
My focus now is to guide visionary CXOs and IT leaders through the next era of digital transformation with the help of a IT experts and analysts across all industries.
Prior to joining Frost and Sullivan, I worked for Smith Barney for 5 years in its accounting division handling incentive compensation plans. In this position I was responsible, from an accounting and payroll perspective, for the capital accumulation and deferred compensation plans of top management and account executives.
Thereafter, I worked as an account executive at Edward Jones, a brokerage company for approximately one year. In these positions, I learned much about the operations of a financial company, financial instruments, and sales techniques.

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